Working Groups for Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012)

Postal Sector

Dated 30th May 2006

In the context of preparation of Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) it has been decided to constitute a Working Group on Postal Sector to make recommendations on the various policy matters relevant to the formulation of the Eleventh Five Year Plan for Communication and Information Sector.

II. The Composition of the proposed Working Group will be as follows:-

III. The Terms of Reference to the Working Group shall be as under

1. To recommend on the vision statement to be adopted for the Eleventh Five Year Plan with a focus on the social commitment, technology induction, entrepreneurial management and envisages becoming a self-supporting institution.
2. To make suitable recommendations on re-structuring the organization and corporatizing certain business units and possibility of segregating its banking and insurance functions. Also recommend possibilities of joint ventures or tie-ups for a larger presence nationally and internationally.
3. To make recommendations on formulation of a corporate plan and strategy for the formulation of a National Postal Policy (keeping in view die present status and future potential of the Department of Posts against die background of the existing and anticipated national and international scenario, die universal service obligations of India Post and its commitment at the Universal Postal Union).
4. To recommend short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies to meet die objectives of the Department of Posts and make recommendations for rationalization and consolidation of the Postal Network through computerization, establishing the National Data Centre for providing increased access to postal facilities covering both rural and urban areas and developing an integrated plan for,meeting emerging demand for.services in rapidly growing urban areas.
5. To make suitable recommendations for - Legislative reforms and -regulations of the postal sector.
6. To make recommendations on a composite sub-plan for die North East during the Plan period, instead of scheme-wise allocation of funds for the North East.
7. To recommend a technology policy for the Department of Posts, including the possibility of taldng up a technology partner or recruiting technology experts; utilizing GIS; creating a seamless integration of software for converting Post Offices as delivery points to the citizens for providing sendees relating to e-governance, banking, insurance and other postal.
8. To make recommendations on setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle for management of postal estates. This will also cover such areas as improvement in the brand image, commercial utilization of building and Real estates; face lift for the existing building, acquisition and construction of estates, ergonomics of postal premises etc.
9. To make recommendations relating to various quality initiatives such as setting standards, sharing them with customers, prescribing measurement tools, best practices and publicizing them etc and even perhaps creating an India Post Quality System tor measuring specified tasks such as delivery performance.
10. Any other item which the Working Group deems necessary to be included for making recommendations effective.

The Working Group may set up Sub Groups to go into specific issues/areas in die sector and or for detailed information gathering and analysis. The Chairman of the Working Group may co-opt any person whose knowledge or expertise is considered to be useful to the Working Group or the Sub Groups and may invite any such person to specific meetings.

V. The non- official members of the Group will be paid TA/DA by Planning Commission as per SR 190 (a) for attending meetings of the Committee.

VI The Group shall be serviced by Department of Posts and DDG (CP) would be the coordinating Officer, who could be reached at the following address.

Smt. Devika Kumar
DDG (CP)
Department of Posts Dak Bhawan,
Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001
Tel: (Oil) 23096095; 23036976
Fax:(011)23096086
Email: de_vi_ka[at]hotmail[dot]com

VII. The Working Group shall submit its report by 31^st July, 2006.